[kweierbach]

I have had this lathe for so time. I been wanting to get it running but life has a way of getting in the way of such things. Looks like I will soon have enough money set a side for this.
My question is has any of you used Linuxcnc and a Gecko G540 drive system to run this lathe and will it be able to control the auto tool indexer some how.

[Fastest1]

It shouldnt be an issue getting the hardware to work. The auto tool changer is just a 3rd axis in regards to port and pin assignments etc.

Do you understand Linux (I dont). I understood Mach to some extent (after using it for a while). LinuxCnc is totally different in its use. I am not saying better or worse. Just entirely different.

[kweierbach]

I have set up my little spectralight mill using Linuxcnc. Just looking for someone that has setup a prolight lathe so I can see what they did so Idon't have to start from scratch.

[Fastest1]

Understood. How many position tool changer? Turret style? I might have a macro that will work or is easy enough to modify to work.

[kweierbach]

this is what it looks like
Attachment 316090
it has 8 positions 4 o.d. tools 4 i.d. tools
Don't know how it locks in place

[Fastest1]

It might have a solenoid controlled pawl. That is the way mine works. However to get around using more I/O's or complicated tool change macros. The method I have used and seen used is to rotate the turret x degrees (in your case 45 degrees per tool) clockwise for example, then it backs up a few degrees against the pawl.

I have the tool change macro in the Dyna Mechtronics section. You might want to look at it. It is pretty straight forward on the steps required.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/dyna-m...o-m6start.html

You can see where and what variables you might need to change for your application.

[Fastest1]

Watching the video of this guys Prolight 3000 would indicate the tool changer is used the same way as I said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq2zS2-aNjo

[kweierbach]

thanks for the macro.
do you know if this works in linuxcnc

[Fastest1]

I do not know.

I am trying to learn enough on LinuxCnc to make my turret rotate. To say it is different than Mach is an understatement. Command line stuff is alien. I have been reading for days if not weeks trying to make sense of it. I was accused of ADD as a kid, reading thru the LinuxCnc forum seems futile. I am determined to learn it though. Just for options.

[kweierbach]

I also looked thru the linuxcnc forum didn't see a whole lot of info on this.
It's been awhile since I set up my mill and I don't know how much I remember
So I'm going to have to dust off some brain cells and see what is still there.

[samco]

would this help?

LinuxCNC Documentation Wiki: ContributedComponents

sam

[Fastest1]

would this help?

LinuxCNC Documentation Wiki: ContributedComponents

sam

Sam, I have read that over and over trying to make sense of it.
ATM Andy on the LCNC forum has given me some instructions on how to use that Boxford file. Or should I say get it installed in the proper place and operational. I have gotten as far as to download it and extract it to my config file. So far there is no real indication it is doing anything. I see no change on my screen, buttons or features.
Today is a new day, maybe I will see the light ;-)

[kweierbach]

Sam I looked at it and the denford orac lathe atc one looks promising.
I may have to update my version of linuxcnc. the version I'm running I got back in 2006

[Tkamsker]

hi kweierbach how is your atc controlled one coil for air out to unlock the turret one coil for direction one coil for turn now right ? and which signals do you get one for any station ans first station has 2nd signal ? if you can confirm that than you can use my umbrella type component right away ( which i will reuse un my lathe as well ) thomas


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[kweierbach]

I have the same tuurret that Boatlover has that he posted pictures of
Attachment 316410Attachment 316412Attachment 316414
looks like a ratchet paw with homeing switch

[Tkamsker]

this looks more like a worm gear stepper setup and an homing swithch dor zero ,...


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[intelitek]

this looks more like a worm gear stepper setup and an homing swithch

You would be correct.